Children who show the most talent will see tapes of their performances on the noon newscast, “Talk Philly,” and the 5 p.m. show, during the week of Nov. 25. “Kidsearch” bits will also be available online at CBSPhilly.com.

Orr said she enjoys the “Kidcaster” segments because they encourage an interest in meteorology and science. Participating children will have one minute on camera and can read from a forecast they’ve written or from a script Channel 3 will provide.

With Orr at the “Kidcaster” search will be Carol Erickson, Kate Bilo, Justin Drabick, and Katie Fehlinger.

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Channel 6 and Dunkin’ Donuts have teamed once again for a Holiday Food Drive that last year provided an estimated 175,000 meals to people in the Delaware Valley.

With various partners, Channel 6 has been conducting food drives for 28 years. The drives are an integral part of the season that leads to the station’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and holiday festivities.

In addition to collecting food from donors throughout the region, Channel 6 is broadcasting a special series, “Changing Face of Hunger,” that will air on “Action News at 5” through Nov. 26. Morning anchors Matt O’Donnell and Tamala Edwards are hosts of those spots.

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So, after passing the qualifying test seven of eight times, and being interviewed the seven times I passed, I almost made it on to “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” at Wednesday’s next-to-last taping of the current season.

“Almost” counts as much as it ever does. I did not get on, but I had the thrill of feeling as if I’d been picked as Cedric the Entertainer eyed the audience to choose a contestant for the $1,000 question that “Millionaire” asks to fill time when it’s too late to introduce a new player at the end of a show.

Cedric, looking natty in a latte-toned brown three-piece suit and matching hat, surveyed the crowd, looked at the back row of the studio, and said, “The person in the purple, no it might be blue, outfit…the woman right there.”

I was wearing a purple shirt. (“Millionaire” instructions tell you to dress is a dark solid color and long sleeves.) I was two people away from the woman in the blue suit, and Cedric was looking at me when he began his spiel.

So, I missed my chance at a “Millionaire” moment, and at $1,000 because I knew the answer to a question about the line in Michael Jackson’s “Bad” that caused Prince to bow out of singing the song with Michael.

Ahhh, well.

Now for some good news. I was not disappointed when the women in the blue suit was chosen. Turns out she lives in Lansdowne. Delco was getting on that stage on way or the other.

Not only was she dressed in a lovely and sexy suit, but she was wearing jewelry, a necklace and three bracelets she designed. They were beautiful and well-crafted. Cedric made a point of mentioning the bracelets, and the contestant, who came to Lansdowne from St. Marten, said she was proud of her work, something her husband, sitting next to me, verified.

I have to admit to a journalistic flaw here. I spoke to the woman and her husband at length and gave them my contact information, but I never took theirs. I only know the woman is from the French side of St. Marten and lived in Brooklyn, N.Y., before moving to Lansdowne, where she makes and sells her jewelry. Her husband’s name is Joe (which hardly narrows things down). Give me time and I’ll find her name.The program she taped will not be on for a while, as it airs at the end of the season.

A couple of notable things about the “Millionaire” taping.

This was Cedric the Entertainer’s first season as host. Throughout the weeks since the show started taping in late August, he has become increasing relaxed in the role. His banter with contestants is smoother and funnier, his bluffs are more deft and deceptive before he tells guests they got a correct answer, and his rapport with the audience and viewer is more natural.

The shows airing now at 12:30 p.m. weekdays on Channel 6 were recorded during the middle of Cedric’s run. The shows I attended were the last of the season, and Cedric’s performance has gotten even stronger. He has reached the point where he is as good as Meredith Vieira or Regis Philbin.

I always figured there was a way that Cedric or Vieira could easily rattle off all the details about a contestant’s options — how much money they’ve won, how much they’d take with them if they bailed out of a question and walked, etc. Now I see how convenient “Millionaire” makes it for its hosts. One of my seats faced a large board that has all of that information neatly outlined. It’s the same board Cedric looks at to confirm whether a guest makes a right or wrong answer. Very handy. Except I couldn’t take my eyes off it. I’m a TV junkie, and I was just as interested to see how “Millionaire” was produced as I was in the game at hand.

In taking the test and playing the game, I know my weakness is pop music after 1989 and odd bits about the Kardashians or other reality show stars. When it comes to arcane information, all my years of reading at every possible opportunity, paid off. (I’m not kidding. In the 1996 movie, “Marvin’s Room,” there’s a scene in which Meryl Streep is driving with her two sons in the back seat. One, played by Leonardo di Caprio, is all chatty and attention-getting. The other sits there with his nose in a book the whole time, oblivious to anything else going on. A friend tapped me, pointed to the screen and said, “You.”)

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Many a night, before he heads to his “day” job, the overnight shift at WIP (94.1 FM), Big Daddy Graham does what got him attention in the first place, his comedy act at various venues in the area. Friday, he’s in Delco at the Media Theatre with colleague Joe Conklin, for a show called “Two Funny Philly Guys.” Laughs start at 8 p.m. Serving as emcee for the show is NFL Hall of Fame sportswriter Ray Didinger.

Big Daddy presides over the mike at WIP from 2-6 a.m. weekdays.

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Channel 3 anchor Pat Ciarrocchi was surprised last week, when while acting as emcee of a Red Cross award event for the 13th consecutive year, she was given an accolade specifically designed in her honor, the American Red Cross Outstanding Advocate Award. It was the Red Cross’ way of publicly thanking Ciarrocchi, who appears at noon weekdays on “Talk Philly” for her ongoing support.

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A blurb that came across a website news feed reminded me, and anyone else who read it, that last week marked 30 years since NBC and former Channel 3 anchor Jessica Savitch drowned when her car landed in the New Hope canal.

The event was moving to all who knew Jessica and prized her talent and zest for her work over some of the less attractive vestiges that fame wrought.

I was a bit dismayed two weeks ago when, while talking to a class at Temple University, no one knew who Jessica Savitch was. Out of 25 students, only seven had looked at a news source of any kind for any reason that day.

The students are not to blame. They were not born when Savitch had her heyday, but it is telling that people do not read newspapers, watch television, or even take time to check headlines on their e-devices as part of a daily routine. I read newspapers by habit and know every headline, even about matters that do not interest me.

Still, it is daunting to know that a truly historical figure in television history is not known to current generations.

The anniversary of Jessica’s passing brought another sad memory to light.

Five weeks before Jess perished in New Hope, a Channel 6 personality and weather anchor, Jim O’Brien, was killed in a skydiving accident.

The wonder to me was both happened 30 years ago. Seems like yesterday.

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WIOQ (102.1 FM) consistently amazes me with the talent it lines up for its annual Jingle Ball at the Wells Fargo Center.

This year’s “do” is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, with the concert beginning at 7:30. The headliner is Robin Thicke. Joining him is ushering the holidays are Flo Rida, Austin Mahone, Avril Lavigne, Pitbull, Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Fifth Harmony, Jason Derulo, and Icona Pop. Elvis Duran of Q102’s morning show will appear with colleagues Maxwell, Mike Adam, Nick the Web Chick, and Rocco.

One reason the WIOQ Jingle Ball draws such talent is because it is one of several staged around the country over a 10-day period. The show is a benefit for the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, and $1 of the admission price is donated to that cause, which is to inspire youth through entertainment and education.